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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 45

Review of the Year

page 44

Review of the Year.

What has been the result of Temperance work throughout the world? is a question easily asked but not so easy to answer. It is one of deep importance to those who have been working for the suppression of intemperance, for they naturally do not care to see all their efforts put forth without some corresponding result. It will therefore be our endeavour to give a few notes of the leading events that have taken place throughout the year in connection with the Temperance cause.

Canada takes the premier position in successful attempts to bring legislative action to bear upon the liquor trade. Localities such as Bessbrook, Ontairo, and Vineland, and Maine as a state, long ago achieved their victories. To Canada though, must be given the place of honour, for it is the first country that has adopted by its Legislature a Permissive Bill. After twenty-seven years agitation the Canadians reaped the victory by patient labour and untiring perseverance. Their toil and ultimate success should inspire us with fresh vigor and cause us to resolve that ere long a Permissive Bill shall be law in each of the Australasian colonies.

Very little is to be recorded in the way of successful effort in Great Britain. NO movement of any great moment has taken place, but there is an evidence of quiet preparation for coming battles and a steady and continuous effort in the dissemination of total abstinence principles. There is an evident feeling that very little temperance legislation can be effected while the present Ministry is in power, but great things are expected when the liberal party assume the reins of Government.

Ireland has at last been successful in passing its Sunday Closing Bill through the House of Commons, and the difficulty attending its passage is only another proof of the opposition which vested interests or selfishness (which means the same thing) will offer to measures which are for the good of the community, even when demanded by a majority of the people.

The United States, which are generally first in any great or novel Temperance movement, have not done anything startling this year. We are pleased to note, however, that the largest and most influential temperance organisation, viz., the Good Templars, which has its head quarters there, has satisfactorily settled the "Negro Question," which at one time threatened to cause great division. We believe that whatever position the negro occupied in reference to the Order before, that now he is by a special law of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge (made to remove the slightest apparent difficulty) admitted to all privileges and rights of membership.

In Sweden the Gothenburg plan, from which so much was expected, has not proved so successful as was hoped. It is found that there are more customers for intoxicating drinks than for other beverages, and that so far as the consumption of drink is concerned there is not much improvement on the ordinary public house system. Another proof of the fact that half measures are not much use in effectually preventing intemperance.

Switzerland has formed its first Total Abstinence Society under favourable auspices. At the preliminary meeting, held in Geneva, page 45 upwards of 500 persons were present, including distinguished representatives from every country in Europe, and also of America.

Victoria has nothing much to boast of, but has a great deal to complain about. The new Licensing Act, from which so much was expected, and which, if carried out in its integrity, would have proved very satisfactory, has been so loosely administered as to render several essential points almost useless. The way in which the Sunday trading clause—the part giving the power to the Governor in Council? (which means the Minister who administers the Act) to proclaim certain districts Licensing districts, has been abused is discreditable to our Legislature and to the people who tolerate such maladministration of our laws. Mr. Matthew Burnett, the "Father Matthew" of Victoria, has had a most successful season of work, and has created quite a stir in that important suburb of Melbourne—the City of Colling wood. Never before has the "Yorkshire Evangelist" reaped so glorious a harvest or received so much attention and praise from the public press as on this occasion, and from what we can gather a considerable amount of lasting good has been effected.

In the other colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, the Temperance cause is healthy and flourishing, and we believe that the day is not far distant when the whole of them will be united in one Grand federation, for the purpose of destroying the growing influence of Intemperance over the people of our colonies.

There is one phase of the Temperance movement that we cannot over look, and that is the almost universal expression of opinion in favor of the establishment of Working Men's Coffee Rooms; and what is more to the purpose, a number have been established with so great a measure of success as to prove their undoubted utility as supplying a great need and acting as a counter-attraction to the public house. We hope to see the day when places like these will adorn and bless the cities of all countries, and gradually supply the places of dram shops.